Christian Warfare 5

In the first century a soldier’s armor was very important. Unlike today’s warfare, when many battles are fought from several miles away using hightech weaponry, most warfare was hand-to-hand combat. While there is a place for “long range” warfare (radio, television, mass mailings, etc.), in our spiritual war, most of the battle is fought one on one. Thus we need good armor to protect us from harm. Paul lists our protective armor in Ephesians 6:13-18:

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

The armor listed by Paul are truth for the loins, breastplate of righteousness, preparation of the gospel for the feet, faith for the shield, salvation for the helmet, the word of God for our sword, and prayerful use with perseverance. An examination of each now begins.

Paul’s list begins with the girdle of truth protecting the loins or waist. Albert Barnes gives the following description of the ancient warrior’s girdle: The girdle, or sash, was always with the ancients an important part of their dress, in war as in peace. They commonly wore loose, flowing robes: and it became necessary to gird them up when they traveled, or ran, or labored. The girdle was . . . the place where they carried their money, their sword, their pipe, their writing instruments, etc. The “girdle” seems sometimes to have been a cincture of iron or steel, designed to keep every part of the armor in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side.

Truth, then, for the Christian soldier serves the spiritual purpose of keeping the armor in its place. The truth referred to is not Bible truth, that is the sword of the Spirit, it is truthfulness, a commitment to truth. Ralph Sockman in his book The Whole Armor Of God wrote, "

to have your loins girt with truth means your single-eyed aim is to find out what is true, cost what it may, lead where it will. Truth is basic to all other considerations. The person who tries to be righteous without first seeking truth may become a bigot. The man who has courage without truthfulness may become dangerous. The person who cherishes hopes without seeking truth becomes an idle dreamer. We cannot build a sound faith on false charges."

Does this mean there is not place for sincerity? Of course not! But one’s sincerity must be based on truth or else it becomes empty. No doubt some among the crowd crying out for Jesus’ crucifixion were sincere in their request, but it was a request not based on truth. Some among the German executioners during World War 2 were sincere in their practice of executing Jews, Gypsies, the deaf and deformed, but they were not. The Christian must go onward into battle knowing the truth of his or her convictions. Jesus said truth sets free, and we can know the truth (John 8:31,32). We must never apologize for the truth, but must know it, be committed to it, and practice it if it is to serve as our girdle in battle.

- Denny